The counsel of Ahithophel is not good at this time Though he generally gives most wise and admirable counsel, yet he seems now to be under a mistake, and not sufficiently to consider all the present circumstances of this business. Thou knowest thy father and his men Hushai, setting himself to oppose all the articles of Ahithophel's advice, some openly, and others covertly, begins with giving a lively and dreadful description of the enemies Absalom had to deal with. That they be all mighty men Of approved courage and strength, and not so easily vanquished as Ahithophel supposes. At all times they are terrible to the bravest foes, but much more so at this time; when they are chafed in their minds Hebrew, bitter of soul, inflamed with rage; desperate, and therefore resolved to sell their lives at a dear rate. Being driven from their families, they are as so many enraged bears robbed of their whelps in the field In the first furious efforts of their rage they will not fail to strike a terror into their assailants, and the panic will be easily diffused through the rest of the pursuing army, and will intimidate the bravest of them. Thy father is a man of war A wise as well as brave prince and general, who, knowing of what importance it is to secure his person, and that your chief design is against his life, will, doubtless, use extraordinary care to keep out of your reach, which he may easily do.
Related Commentaries of 2 Samuel 17:7
2 Samuel 17:7-8
7 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath givenb is not good at this time.
8 For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafedc in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.